1. The Battle for Ukraine
& A Brief Overview of The Cold War
2. The Cold War
• Both the US and USSR developed Nuclear Capability in the 1940’s
(US used it against Japan at the end of WWII) and built many bombs
and military advancements.
• Both knew that if they got into a war it would mean NUCLEAR WAR!
This would end life on Earth as we know it… Mutually Assured
Destruction.
• Instead of fighting eachother, both the US and the USSR supported
or fought other small wars to either spread their ideals or stop their
opponents. These were called Proxy Wars. (Korea, Vietnam, Chile,
Iranian Revolution, Afghanistan)
3. The Fall of the USSR… a New Cold
War?• For a variety of reasons, chief among them that people
living in the USSR eventually realized that their lives
stunk in comparison with the Capitalist nations, the
USSR collapsed.
• Small states that had been taken over the by the USSR
got their independence back (Ukraine among them).
• The rivalry between Russia and the US cooled down.
• Now, new tensions brew over many issues with Ukraine
at the top of the list.
6. Introduction to Crisis Ukraine
• The Question was whether Ukraine should
join the European Union (EU) or align itself
with Russia.
– Plan was to Join the EU but their (former)
President decided to ally with Russia instead.
– Pro-EU supporters and Ukrainian Nationalists took
to the streets for month long protests that
eventually led to violent clashes with police
forces.
8. The Crimean Crisis
Annexation: To add territory or land to your country –usually without
the permission of the country is is taken from.
9. The Battle for Ukraine
• Right Sector: A Ukrainian militant nationalist
group that supports Ukrainian independence
from Russia.
• Strong Hold: A Pro-Russian militant force that
wants parts of Ukraine to break away and join
Russia.
